#AKSLGElections2017: Voters Finger Nsima Ekere’s Aide Over Violence

Condemnations have trail alleged attempts by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Nathaniel Uyo, to scuttle the elections in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

Electorates alleged that Nathaniel Uyo, a Special Assistant to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commisssion (NDDC), Nsima Ekere, armed with thugs and some uniformed security men tried to cart away some electoral materials meant for some units in Ward 1 and 2 in the area.

Speaking with reporters, some of the voters said they were surprised that the APC supporters, who had shown no interest in campaigning for the election, had to come around to unleash mayhem in the area.

Mr Unwana Isongumo, a youth leader in unit 1 of Ward 1 lamented that the APC thugs attempted to deny them of opportunity to exercise their franchise.

Meanwhile, some youths have been arrested by men of the Nigerian Army for engaging in thuggery, and election violence.

The alleged thugs were apprehended in a Hilux truck with registration number AH 821-KTE, allegedly belonging to a chieftain of the APC Chief Sunny Ibanga.

They were whisked away in handcuffs by the army men.

Meanwhile, early polls result show PDP coasting home to victory across the state.

Similarly, thugs suspected to be sponsored by APC attacked the local office of the Akwa Ibom state Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

Eyewitnesses told newsmen who went to monitor the council poll that although the Police attached to the office succeeded in arresting two of the miscreants, the situation became more chaotic after the arrival of some PDP chieftains at the scene.

The miscreants were said to have tried to forcefully gain entrance into the AKISIEC office while attacking the PDP chieftains.

Voting however started about 11am in some local government areas such as Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium and Ibesikpo Asutan.

One Mr. Effiong at Ndiya ward in Nsit Ubium local government area said, “Election is going on here. I have cast my votes. We are only waiting for the result to be declared before I go back to my house.

“And I think everything is going on peacefully here as you can see . i don’t know about other wards . But voting is going on in Ndiya ward”